Along a 200-foot wall of the Corpus Christi Trade center facing South Padre Island Drive is a scene of a beach, waves and palm trees: a picture that is quintessential Corpus Christi.

"City by the Sea" is a new mural livening up Corpus Christi on the side of the Trade Center.

"The Trade Center is a huge part of Corpus Christi," said Mari Haft, a family member of the owner who helped create the project. "We wanted to bring the feel of the city to the building not only for tourists but for the whole community."

The mural was designed by John Olvey and Kaleigh Glover. The two local artists worked eight straight days on the massive mural.

"We've known each other for about three years now," said Olvey, project manager. "When I was working to come up with this project, Kaleigh was a natural fit to work on this with me."

Buy Photo

John Olvey and Kaleigh Glover painting their mural on the side of the Corpus Christi Trade Center on Dec. 6, 2018.(Photo: Mark Young/Caller-Times)

Both take inspiration from the Coastal Bend environment, with local animals and scenery often taking center stage in their work.

The two artists have worked together once before but have never worked on a mural together.

The planning for the project began in May.

"The (Trade Center) wanted a simple wavescape design across the side of the building," said Glover, the art director. "We wanted it to be simple so it wouldn't distract people on the highway, but also give it a lot of bright colors to make it pop."

Buy Photo

John Olvey and Kaleigh Glover on Dec. 6, 2018 after finishing their mural on the side of the Corpus Christi Trade Center.(Photo: Mark Young/Caller-Times)